〜以来
irai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
since (a point in time), ever since
〜以来 means "since (a point in time), ever since". The event or moment after 以来 is the starting point, and the second clause describes a state that has continued from then until now: not meeting someone, being busy, never being late.
Both registers, but slightly formal; in casual speech 〜てから is more common. The starting point must be reasonably far in the past and the second clause must be a continuing state or a repeated pattern, not a single completed action. Do not use it for "since yesterday".
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Vて + 以来 / N + 以来
Visual diagram
- 卒業してstarting point (Vて / N)
- 以来ever since…
- 彼に会っていないstate continuing to now
Natural examples
卒業して以来、彼に会っていない。
そつぎょうしていらい、かれにあっていない。
I haven't seen him since graduation.
Vて + 以来 with a continuing negative state (〜ていない).
去年の夏以来、ずっと忙しい。
きょねんのなついらい、ずっといそがしい。
I've been busy ever since last summer.
Noun of time + 以来: ずっと emphasizes continuity.
入社以来、一度も遅刻したことがない。
にゅうしゃいらい、いちどもちこくしたことがない。
I have never once been late since joining the company.
N + 以来 with 一度も〜ない: "not once since".
この店は開店以来、ずっと同じ味を守っている。
このみせはかいてんいらい、ずっとおなじあじをまもっている。
Ever since it opened, this restaurant has kept the same taste.
する-nouns like 開店・入社・発売 attach directly.
あの事故以来、彼は車を運転しなくなった。
あのじこいらい、かれはくるまをうんてんしなくなった。
Since that accident, he has stopped driving.
A change of habit that persists.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜てから
Simple sequence: "after doing X, then Y". Y can be a one-time action, and the gap can be short. 以来 needs a state lasting until now.
The same pattern with the verb form; see lesson 76 for verb-specific points. Compare side by side
A range with an end point; 以来 has no end point because the state continues to the present. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 昨日以来、頭が痛い。
- ✓
- 昨日から、頭が痛い。
- Why
- 以来 sounds strange for very recent starting points; use から.
- ✗
- 卒業して以来、一度彼に会った。
- ✓
- 卒業して以来、一度も彼に会っていない。/ 卒業してから、一度彼に会った。
- Why
- The second clause must be a continuing state; a single completed action needs てから.
- ✗
- 去年の夏の以来、忙しい。
- ✓
- 去年の夏以来、忙しい。
- Why
- 以来 attaches directly to the noun, without の.
Common partners: ずっと, 一度も〜ない, 〜ていない, すっかり変わった. 以来 can also be an adverb by itself: 以来、彼とは連絡を取っていない. It combines with する-nouns without する: 入社以来, 発売以来, 来日以来.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- In 文法形式の判断, the presence of ずっと or 一度も〜ない after the blank strongly suggests 以来.
- Distractors are 〜てから, 〜たとたん and 〜たきり. 〜たきり also means "since" but adds the nuance "and nothing since", typically with a negative like 帰ってこない.
- A recent time word (昨日・さっき) before the blank rules out 以来.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜以来 mean?
since (a point in time), ever since. 〜以来 means "since (a point in time), ever since". The event or moment after 以来 is the starting point, and the second clause describes a state that has continued from then until now: not meeting someone, being busy, never being late.
How do you form 〜以来?
Vて + 以来 / N + 以来. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜以来 used?
Both registers, but slightly formal; in casual speech 〜てから is more common. The starting point must be reasonably far in the past and the second clause must be a continuing state or a repeated pattern, not a single completed action. Do not use it for "since yesterday".
What is the difference between 〜以来 and 〜てから?
Simple sequence: "after doing X, then Y". Y can be a one-time action, and the gap can be short. 以来 needs a state lasting until now.
What is the difference between 〜以来 and 〜て以来?
The same pattern with the verb form; see lesson 76 for verb-specific points.
What is a common mistake with 〜以来?
Wrong: 昨日以来、頭が痛い。 Right: 昨日から、頭が痛い。 以来 sounds strange for very recent starting points; use から.
Quick check
日本に来て（ ）、一度も国に帰っていない。